Arnold, Aaron - DVUSD Pathways

Welcome to 2025 T4 Pathways ELA 1 & 2

Information About Your Course

Canvas continues as the main delivery of materials, with additional in-class discussion.  Assignments will be posted daily on Canvas - students may only work on that day's assignments and will not have homework - given that they are managing their time in our 3 hour class period, Monday - Thursday.

English Language Arts 1 & 2 is a course that provides a one-semester English Elective credit each for graduation requirements for high school. 

The curriculum follows the DVUSD guidelines, which are aligned with the Arizona State Standards.  Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, which are essential to learning.  Reading, presenting, speaking and communication skills and strategies will be part of instruction and student practice.

HOW TO GET STARTED

ELA 1 & 2 students will arrive promptly at 3:00 pm at the Boulder Creek High School campus.  We dismiss promptly at 5:45 pm.  This course is in-person only.

Login to Canvas online or with the Canvas app (iOs/Android).

Parents can also login to Canvas to observe classes and student progress. Parents even have their very own app: Canvas Parent.

Learn more about accessing Canvas as a Parent!

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Arrive with a good attitude. Bring your iPad/Chromebook fully charged and bring your charger to class. Be prepared to work on our assignments without the distraction of your cellphone.

Find out more about DVUSD Technology.  Click here for tech support assistance. 

Access your grades in Powerschools.

Students and Parents:  Message me via Canvas Inbox

Active Learning for All

 DVUSD Pathways ELA 1 & 2 is an "in-person" learning experience.

Students are expected to arrive on time with a fully charged Chromebook.  Please bring a charger or portable charger to ensure access to your course.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, participate in discussions, and complete assignments daily prior to the end of our class. ELA 1 & 2 students meet Monday - Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:45 PM at Boulder Creek High School. 

POLICIES

Be Present, Be Prepared, and Be Polite

EXPECTATIONS

From Me:

• Emails: Answered within 24-48 hours at the latest. Please give me at least that amount of time, and if I do not answer you, please send me another email.
• Availability: I will be available every Friday afternoon from 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM for anything you need from me. Please let me know at least 24 hours beforehand.

From Parents: 

• Canvas:  Most or all of the assignments that kids will need will be available on Canvas, and easy for you to print if the copy is lost. In addition, please keep up with assignments on Canvas or through my agenda posted every day for the students.

From Students: 

• Participation: Willing and able to participate during Instruction, stations, and activities.
• Positive Mindset: Have a positive mindset going into the day and know that I am here for you and for your success, not your failure.
• No Excuses: This is a condensed course and all assignments need to be completed on time.

A daily schedule follows below:

1. All ELA 1-2 students are required to be seated in class from 3:00 PM until 5:45 PM. Attendance will be taken

• Complete a bellwork/discussion assignment
• Receive a preview of the day's learning
• Have an opportunity to ask questions

2. Instructional time - All but the first and last ten minutes of class

• Students will be completing assignments in Canvas after direction instruction.
• We will take regular breaks.  Students are not allowed to leave the building nor bring food to class. 
• Students may only have water with them in class.

3. Review and closure - Last 10-15 minutes of class

Remember, completing your assignments during instructional hours ensures that you do not have homework! 

The pacing of course work:

• Students will meet daily with the teacher of record as outlined above
• Students will not be permitted to work ahead
• New content will be available daily
• Course work is expected to be completed that day
• There is no homework unless the daily coursework is not completed.
• DVOLP Pathways Blended gradebook begins at a ZERO (0%) percent.  Students establish their final grade through participation and completion of all course work
• Student active participation is expected.

The Pathways' attendance policy:

• Students are allowed two (2) absences
• On the third (3rd) absence, the student is subject to withdrawal
• Students greater than 10 minutes late to class will be charged an absence.
• Students may opt to appeal the withdrawal
  • The student will receive instructions of Appeal
  • The student will submit the Appeal information within 24 hours of receipt of the Appeal instructions.

Parent Info For Contacting Teacher

If you would like to contact the teacher, you may do so in the following way:

Email Mr. Arnold.

You may seek a response via email, phone, or video (Zoom).

When contacting the teacher, please include the following:

To protect student information, only parents/guardians listed on the student contact sheet will be contacted. Also, any phone contact will come from a phone number as "Private", so I may need to leave a message to let you know it is me. 

• Your name
• Your student's name
• Your preferred method of contact
• Your best time for contact (Please note I have office hours for all my classes as listed in Canvas. If you need to contact me outside of the office hours for your students, please indicate that)

Email Mr. Arnold

Mr. Aaron A. Arnold

I am a native and grew up in Arizona not far from here. In fact, I went to school just down the road at DVHS. Other than a few years in Mexico and Hawaii, I have been here most of my life.  I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and English in 2005 from ASU and bounced around some schools, but I have found a home here at Goldwater for the past 15+ years along with a short stint teaching in China. In my spare time, I love to adventure the outdoors, from rafting in the Grand Canyon to camping in remote areas to a simple golf outing.